Cameras.
Gate sensor.
Motion lights.
License-plate reader.
Why did she care so much about cameras?
A text arrived from the neighbor next door.
You need to see this.
Attached photograph.
A notice from eight months earlier.
UNAUTHORIZED EXTERIOR CAMERA INSTALLATION – $1,250 FINE
Different property.
Same President.
The neighbor wrote:
We removed ours. She said cameras created “visual clutter.”
Another message.
From across the street.
Same thing.
Cameras.
Doorbell camera.
Fine.
Removed.
Another.
Rear alley camera.
Violation.
The Homeowner sat straighter.
The President had pushed multiple homeowners to remove private surveillance.
Why?
The next morning, the HOA sent an email.
The Board is aware of an incident involving the Association President and a resident.
The Homeowner laughed.
Incident.
Interesting word for rock through window.
The email continued.
The President has been placed on temporary administrative leave pending legal review.
Temporary.
The Homeowner forwarded it to his attorney.
Then he received something unexpected.
A phone call from the HOA Treasurer.
The Treasurer spoke quietly.
“Can we meet?”
“Why?”
“Not by phone.”
That answer was never comforting.
They met at a coffee shop outside the neighborhood.
The Treasurer was an older white man in his sixties.
Retired accountant.
Usually quiet at meetings.
He looked exhausted.
“I saw the video.”
“So did half the internet.”
The footage had spread overnight after neighbors posted clips.
The Treasurer rubbed his hands together.
“She’s going to claim stress.”
“Good luck.”
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
He looked around.
Then leaned forward.
“The board finances are wrong.”
The Homeowner became still.
“How wrong?”
“I don't know.”
“That’s not an accountant answer.”
“I know.”
The Treasurer looked ashamed.
“For six months, I’ve been trying to reconcile maintenance expenditures.”
“And?”
“Some invoices appear twice.”
“Others were paid to vendors I don't recognize.”
“Amounts?”
“About four hundred thousand total.”
The Homeowner stared.
“Four hundred thousand dollars?”
“Potentially.”
“Missing?”
“Not exactly.”
“Paid.”
“To whom?”
“Companies.”
“Legitimate?”
“Some.”
“Others have addresses connected to mailboxes and residential suites.”
The Homeowner leaned back.
“What does this have to do with me?”
The Treasurer took out a folder.
Inside were maps.
Property lots.
Highlighted addresses.
The Homeowner saw his.
So were several neighbors who had complained overnight.
“What is this?”
The Treasurer whispered:
“Properties under enhanced enforcement.”
The Homeowner looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
“I don't know officially.”
“Unofficially?”
The Treasurer swallowed.